4,4-diarylbutadienes as water-soluble photostable UV filters for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations

ABSTRACT

Use of 4,4-diarylbutadienes of the formula I, ##STR1## where the variables have the meanings explained in the description, as water-soluble photostable UV filters in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for protecting the human skin or human hair from the sun&#39;s rays, alone or together with compounds which absorb in the UV region and are known per se for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.

The invention relates to the use of 4,4-diarylbutadienes as water-soluble photostable UV filters in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for protecting the human epidermis or human hair from UV radiation, specifically in the range from 320 to 400 nm

The sunscreens employed in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations have the task of preventing, or at least diminishing the consequences of, harmful effects of sunlight on the human skin. However, these sunscreens also serve to protect other ingredients from decomposition or breakdown by UV radiation. In hair cosmetic formulations the aim is to reduce damage to the keratin fibers by UV rays.

The sunlight reaching the surface of the earth contains UV-B radiation (280 to 320 nm) and UV-A radiation (>320 nm), which are directly adjacent to the visible light region. The effect on the human skin is manifested, particularly in the case of UV-B radiation, by sunburn. Accordingly, the industry offers a relatively large number of substances which absorb UV-B radiation and thus prevent sunburn.

Dermatoglogical investigations have now shown that UV-A radiation is also perfectly capable of causing skin damage and allergies by, for example, damaging the keratin or elastin. This reduces the elasticity and water storage capacity of the skin, i.e. the skin becomes less supple and tends to form wrinkles. The noticeably high incidence of skin cancer in regions where the sun's radiation is strong shows that damage to the genetic information in the cells is evidently also caused by sunlight, specifically by UV-A radiation. All these findings therefore make it appear necessary to develop efficient filter substances for the UV-A region.

There is a growing demand for sunscreens for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations which can be used in particular as UV-A filters and whose absorption maxima ought therefore to be in the range from about 320 to 380 nm. In order to achieve the required effect by using the minimum amount, sunscreens of this type ought additionally to have a high specific extinction. Sunscreens for certain cosmetic products must also meet a large number of other requirements, for example good solubility in water or in water-miscible solvents, such as alcohols, high stability of the solutions or emulsions produced with them, toxicological acceptability, and slight intrinsic odor and slight intrinsic color.

Another requirement which sunscreens must meet is adequate photostability. However, this is only inadequately ensured, if at all, with the UV-A-absorbing sunscreens hitherto available.

French Patent No. 2 440 933 describes 4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane as a UV-A filter. It is proposed to combine this specific UV-A filter, which is sold by GIVAUDAN under the name "PARSOL 1789", with various UV-B filters in order to absorb all UV rays having a wavelength from 280 to 380 nm.

However, this UV-A filter does not have sufficient photochemical stability, when used alone or in combination with UV-B filters, to ensure sustained protection of the skin during sunbathing for prolonged periods, which means that repeated applications at regular and short intervals are required if effective protection of the skin from all UV rays is desired.

For this reason, EP-A-0 514 491 discloses the stabilization of the insufficiently photostable UV-A filters by adding 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylic esters which themselves act as filters in the UV-B region.

It has furthermore already been proposed in EP-A-0 251 398 to combine chromophores absorbing UV-A radiation and UV-B radiation into one molecule by using a linker. This has the disadvantage that, firstly a free combination of UV-A and UV-B filters in the cosmetic preparation is no longer possible, and that difficulties in the chemical linkage of the chromophores allow only certain combinations.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,467 describes the use of 2,4-pentadienoic acid derivatives as UV absorbers in cosmetic products. The monoaryl-substituted compounds which are mentioned as preferred in this patent likewise have the disadvantage that their photostability is insufficient.

It is an object of the present invention to propose sunscreens for cosmetic and pharmaceutical purposes which absorb in the UV-A region with high extinction, are photostable, have a slight intrinsic color, i.e. a sharp band structure, and are readily soluble in water or in water-miscible solvents.

This object is achieved according to the invention by use of 4,4-diarylbutadienes of the formula I ##STR2## where the diene system has the Z,Z; Z,E; E,Z or E,E configuration or a mixture thereof, and where the variables independently of one another have the following meanings:

R¹ and R² hydrogen, C₁ -C₂₀ -alkyl, C₂ -C₁₀ -alkenyl, C₃ -C₁₀ -cycloalkyl, C₃ -C₁₀ -cycloalkenyl, C₁ -C₁₂ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₂₀ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₁₂ -alkylamino, C₁ -C₁₂ -dialkylamino, aryl, hetaryl, unsubstituted or substituted substituents which confer solubility in water and are selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate or ammonium radicals;

R³ hydrogen, COOR⁵, COR⁵, CONR⁵ R⁶, CN;

R⁴ COOR⁶, COR⁶, CONR⁵ R⁶ ;

R⁵ hydrogen, [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-PO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ;

R⁶ [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-PO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ;

X --CH₂ --CH₂ --Z--, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --Z--, --CH(CH₃)--CH₂ --Z--, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --Z--, --CH₂ --CH(CH₂ --CH₃)--Z--;

A Cl, Br, I, SO₄ R⁹ ;

Y hydrogen, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺, Al³⁺, N(R⁸)₄ ⁺ ;

Z O, NH;

R⁷ and R⁸ hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, C₂ -C₆ -alkenyl, C₁ -C₆ -acyl;

R⁹ hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, C₂ -C₆ -alkenyl;

n 1 to 3;

1 to 150

as water-soluble photostable UV filters in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for protecting the human skin or human hair from the sun's rays, alone or together with compounds which absorb in the UV region and are known per se for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.

Alkyl radicals R¹ and R² which may be mentioned are branched or unbranched C₁ -C₂₀ -alkyl chains, preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl, n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, n-tridecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-pentadecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-heptadecyl, n-octadecyl, n-nonadecyl or n-eicosyl.

Alkenyl radicals R¹ and R² which may be mentioned are branched or unbranched C₂ -C₁₀ -alkenyl chains, preferably vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 2-methyl-1-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl, 3-methyl-1-butenyl, 1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl, 1-heptenyl, 2-heptenyl, 1-octenyl or 2-octenyl.

Cycloalkyl radicals which may be mentioned for R¹ and R² are preferably branched or unbranched C₃ -C₁₀ -cycloalkyl radicals such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, 1-methylcyclopropyl, 1-ethylcyclopropyl, 1-propylcyclopropyl, 1-butylcyclopropyl, 1-pentylcyclopropyl, 1-methyl-1-butylcyclopropyl, 1,2-dimethylcyclopropyl, 1-methyl-2-ethylcyclopropyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl or cyclodecyl.

Cycloalkenyl radicals which may be mentioned for R¹ and R² are preferably branched or unbranched C₃ -C₁₀ -cycloalkenyl radicals with one or more double bonds such as cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl, cyclohexenyl, 1,3-cyclohexadienyl, 1,4-cyclohexadienyl, cycloheptenyl, cycloheptatrienyl, cyclooctenyl, 1,5-cyclooctadienyl, cyclooctatetraenyl, cyclononenyl or cyclodecenyl.

The cycloalkenyl and cycloalkyl radicals may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more, e.g. 1 to 3, radicals such as halogen, e.g. fluorine, chlorine or bromine, cyano, nitro, amino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino, C₁ -C₄ -dialkylamino, hydroxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or other radicals, or contain 1 to 3 heteroatoms such as sulfur, nitrogen, whose free valencies can be saturated by hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, or oxygen in the ring.

Suitable alkoxy radicals for R¹ and R² are those having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

Examples which may be mentioned are:

    ______________________________________                                         methoxy             ethoxy                                                     isopropoxy          n-propoxy                                                  1-methylpropoxy     n-butoxy                                                   n-pentoxy           2-methylpropoxy                                            3-methylbutoxy      1,1-dimethylpropoxy                                        2,2-dimethylpropoxy hexoxy                                                     1-methyl-1-ethylpropoxy                                                                            heptoxy                                                    octoxy              2-ethylhexoxy                                              ______________________________________                                    

Examples of alkoxycarbonyl radicals for R¹ and R² are esters containing the abovementioned alkoxy radicals or radicals derived from higher alcohols, e.g. having up to 20 carbon atoms, such as iso-C₁₅ alcohol.

Suitable mono- or dialkylamino radicals for R¹ and R² are those containing alkyl radicals having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, such as methyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, hexyl, heptyl, 2-ethylhexyl, isopropyl, 1-methylpropyl, n-pentyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-methyl-1-ethylpropyl and octyl.

Aryl means aromatic rings or ring systems having 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the ring system, for example phenyl or naphthyl, each of which may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals such as halogen, e.g. fluorine, chlorine or bromine, cyano, nitro, amino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino, C₁ -C₄ -dialkylamino, hydroxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or other radicals. Unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, methoxyphenyl and naphthyl are preferred.

Hetaryl radicals are advantageously simple or fused aromatic ring systems having one or more heteroaromatic 3- to 7-membered rings. Heteroatoms which may be present in the ring or ring system are one or more nitrogen, sulfur and/or oxygen atoms.

Hydrophilic radicals, i.e. those making it possible for the compounds of the formula I to dissolve in water, for R¹ and R² are, for example, carboxyl and sulfoxy radicals and, in particular, their salts with any physiologically tolerated cations, such as the alkali metal salts or such as the trialkylammonium salts, such as tri(hydroxyalkyl)ammonium salts or the 2-methyl-1-propanol-2-ammonium salts. Also suitable are ammonium radicals, especially alkylammonium radicals, with any physiologically tolerated anions.

Alkylene groups for R⁵ and R⁶ which carry hydrophilic SO₃ Y, PO₃ Y or N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ radicals which may be mentioned are branched or unbranched C₁ -C₆ -alkylene radicals, preferably methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, 1-methylethylene, n-butylene, 1-methylpropylene, 2-methylpropylene, n-pentylene or n-hexylene.

The radical [X]_(o) -R⁷ for R⁵ and R⁶ is, inter alia, polyalkylene glycols which may comprise from 1 to 150 monomer units, preferably from 1 to 50, particularly preferably from 1 to 30, monomer units. X may be an alkylene glycol monomer unit selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, n-propylene glycol, 1-methylethylene glycol, n-butylene glycol and 1-ethylethylene glycol. Preferred monomer units may be ethylene glycol, n-propylene glycol and 1-methylethylene glycol.

The polyalkylene glycols may be terminally alkylated, alkenylated or acylated.

Alkyl radicals for R⁷ to R⁹ which may be mentioned are branched or unbranched C₁ -C₆ -alkyl chains, preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl, n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl or 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl.

Alkenyl radicals for R⁷ to R⁹ which may be mentioned are branched or unbranched C₂ -C₆ -alkenyl chains, preferably vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 2-methyl-1-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl, 3-methyl-1-butenyl, 1-hexenyl or 2-hexenyl.

Acyl radicals for R⁷ and R⁸ which may be mentioned are C₁ -C₆ -acyl radicals, preferably formyl, acetyl, propionyl or n-butyryl.

Also suitable for [X]_(o) -R⁷ are polyalkylenepolyamines, in particular polyethyleneimines which may likewise comprise 1 to 150 monomer units, preferably 1 to 50, particularly preferably 1 to 30 monomer units.

Preferred compounds of the formula I are those where

R¹ and R² are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C₁ -C₈ -alkyl, C₁ -C₈ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₈ -alkylamino, C₁ -C₈ -dialkylamino, substituents which confer solubility in water and are selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate or ammonium radicals;

R³ is COOR⁵, CONR⁵ R⁶, CN;

R⁴ is COOR⁶, CONR⁵ R⁶ ;

R⁵ is hydrogen, [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ;

R⁶ is [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ;

X is --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--, --CH(CH₃)--CH₂ --O--;

A is Cl, Br, I, SO₄ R⁹ ;

Y is hydrogen, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺, Al³⁺, N(R⁸)₄ ⁺ ;

R⁷ and R⁹ are hydrogen, C₁ -C₃ -alkyl;

n is 1 to 3;

o is 1 to 50.

C₁ -C₈ -Alkyl radicals which are particularly preferred for R¹ and R⁶ are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl, n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 2-ethylhexyl.

Suitable alkoxy radicals for R¹ and R² are, preferably, those having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably those having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Examples which may be mentioned are:

    ______________________________________                                         methoxy             ethoxy                                                     isopropoxy          n-propoxy                                                  n-butoxy            1-methylpropoxy                                            2-methylpropoxy                                                                ______________________________________                                    

Suitable and particularly preferred mono- or dialkylamino radicals for R¹ and R² are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 2-ethylhexyl.

Particularly preferred C₁ -C₃ -alkyl radicals for R⁷ to R⁹ which may be mentioned are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl.

Particularly preferred alkylene groups for R⁵ and R⁶, which carry hydrophilic SO₃ Y, PO₃ Y or N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ radicals, which may be mentioned are methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, 1-methylethylene or n-butylene.

The substituents R¹ and R² may each be bonded to the aromatic ring in the ortho, meta and/or para position. In the case of disubstituted aromatic rings (n=2), R¹ and R² can be in the ortho/para or meta/para position. Preferred compounds of the formula I where n=1 are those where R¹ is identical to R² and both radicals are in the para position.

Furthermore, compounds of the formula I (n=1) in which the substituents R¹ to R⁴ are present in the combination given in Table 1 have particular photostable properties:

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR3##                                                                      R.sup.1  R.sup.2    Position R.sup.3 R.sup.4                                   ______________________________________                                         H        H                   H       COR.sup.6                                 H        H                   H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        H        H                   COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                H        H                   COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 H        H                   COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 H        H                   CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                H        H                   CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 H        H                   CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        H        H                   CN      COR.sup.6                                 H        H                   CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  para     H       COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  ortho    H       COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  meta     H       COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  para     H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  ortho    H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  meta     H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  para     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  ortho    COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  meta     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  para     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  ortho    COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  meta     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  para     COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  ortho    COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  meta     COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  para     CN      COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  ortho    CN      COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  meta     CN      COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  para     CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  ortho    CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -Alkoxy                                                                  meta     CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  para     H       COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  ortho    H       COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  meta     H       COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  para     H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  ortho    H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  meta     H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  para     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  ortho    COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  meta     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  para     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  ortho    COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  meta     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  para     COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  ortho    COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  meta     COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  para     CN      COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  ortho    CN      COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  meta     CN      COR.sup.6                                 C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  para     CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  ortho    CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -Alkyl                                                                  meta     CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               para     H       COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               ortho    H       COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               meta     H       COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               para     H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               ortho    H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               meta     H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               para     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               ortho    COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               meta     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               para     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               ortho    COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               meta     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               para     COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               ortho    COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               meta     COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               para     CN      COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               ortho    CN      COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               meta     CN      COR.sup.6                                 Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               para     CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               ortho    CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Carboxylate                                                                             Carboxylate                                                                               meta     CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  para     H       COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  ortho    H       COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  meta     H       COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  para     H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  ortho    H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  meta     H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  para     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  ortho    COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  meta     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  para     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  ortho    COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  meta     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  para     COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  ortho    COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  meta     COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  para     CN      COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  ortho    CN      COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  meta     CN      COR.sup.6                                 Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  para     CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  ortho    CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Sulfonate                                                                               Sulfonate  meta     CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Ammonium Ammonium   para     H       COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   ortho    H       COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   meta     H       COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   para     H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Ammonium Ammonium   ortho    H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Ammonium Ammonium   meta     H       CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Ammonium Ammonium   para     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                Ammonium Ammonium   ortho    COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                Ammonium Ammonium   meta     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COOR.sup.6                                Ammonium Ammonium   para     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   ortho    COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   meta     COOR.sup.5                                                                             COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   para     COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   ortho    COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   meta     COR.sup.5                                                                              COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                Ammonium Ammonium   ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                Ammonium Ammonium   meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COOR.sup.6                                Ammonium Ammonium   para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   para     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Ammonium Ammonium   ortho    CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Ammonium Ammonium   meta     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                                                                     CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Ammonium Ammonium   para     CN      COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   ortho    CN      COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   meta     CN      COR.sup.6                                 Ammonium Ammonium   para     CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Ammonium Ammonium   ortho    CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        Ammonium Ammonium   meta     CN      CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6                        ______________________________________                                    

The invention also relates to 4,4-diarylbutadienes of the formula I, ##STR4## where the diene system has the Z,Z; Z,E; E,Z or E,E configuration or a mixture thereof, and where the variables independently of one another have the following meanings:

R¹ and R² hydrogen, C₁ -C₂₀ -alkyl, C₂ -C₁₀ -alkenyl, C₃ -C₁₀ -cycloalkyl, C₃ -C₁₀ -cycloalkenyl, C₁ -C₁₂ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₂₀ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₁₂ -alkylamino, C₁ -C₁₂ -dialkylamino, aryl, hetaryl, unsubstituted or substituted substituents which confer solubility in water and are selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate or ammonium radicals;

R³ hydrogen, COOR⁵, COR⁵, CONR⁵ R⁶, CN;

R⁴ COOR⁶, COR⁶, CONR⁵ R⁶ ;

R⁵ hydrogen, [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-PO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ;

R⁶ [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-PO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ;

X --CH₂ --CH₂ --Z--, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --Z--, --CH(CH₃)--CH₂ --Z--, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --Z--, --CH₂ --CH(CH₂ --CH₃)--Z--;

A Cl, Br, I, SO₄ R⁹ ;

Y hydrogen, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺, Al³⁺, N(R⁸)₄ ⁺ ;

Z O, NH;

R⁷ and R⁸ hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, C₂ -C₆ -alkenyl, C₁ -C₆ -acyl;

R⁹ hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, C₂ -C₆ -alkenyl;

n 1 to 3;

o 1 to 150.

Preference is given to 4,4-diarylbutadienes of the formula Ia, ##STR5## where the diene system has the Z,Z; Z,E; E,Z or E,E configuration or a mixture thereof, and where the variables independently of one another have the following meanings:

R¹ and R² hydrogen, C₁ -C₈ -alkyl, C₁ -C₈ -alkoxy, substituents which confer solubility in water and are selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate or ammonium radicals;

R³ COOR⁵, CONR⁵ R⁶, CN;

R⁴ COOR⁶, CONR⁵ R⁶ ;

R⁵ hydrogen, [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ;

R⁶ [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ;

X --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--, --CH(CH₃)--CH₂ --O--;

A Cl, Br, I, SO₄ R⁹ ;

Y hydrogen, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺, Al³⁺, N(R⁸)₄ ⁺ ;

R⁷ to R⁹ hydrogen, C₁ -C₃ -alkyl;

n 1 to 3;

o 1 to 50.

Particular preference is given to 4,4-diarylbutadienes of the formula Ib, ##STR6##

where the diene system has the Z,Z; Z,E; E,Z or E,E configuration or a mixture thereof, and where the variables independently of one another have the following meanings:

R¹ and R² hydrogen, C₁ -C₈ -alkyl, C₁ -C₈ -alkoxy;

R³ COOR⁵, CONR⁵ R⁶, CN;

R⁴ COOR⁶, CONR⁵ R⁶ ;

R⁵ hydrogen, [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ;

R⁶ [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ;

X --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--, --CH(CH₃)--CH₂ --O--;

A Cl, Br, I, SO₄ R⁹ ;

Y hydrogen, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺, Al³⁺, N(R⁸)₄ ⁺ ;

R⁷ to R⁹ hydrogen, C₁ -C₃ -alkyl;

o 1 to 50.

Very particular preference is given to 4,4-diarylbutadienes of the formula Ic, ##STR7## where the diene system has the Z,Z; Z,E; E,Z or E,E configuration or a mixture thereof, and where the variables independently of one another have the following meanings:

R¹ and R² hydrogen, C₁ -C₈ -alkyl, C₁ -C₈ -alkoxy;

R³ COOR⁵, CONR⁵ R⁶, CN;

R⁴ COOR⁶, CONR⁵ R⁶ ;

R⁵ hydrogen, [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ;

R⁶ [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ;

X --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--, --CH(CH₃)--CH₂ --O--;

A Cl, Br, I, SO₄ R⁹ ;

Y hydrogen, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺, Al³⁺, N(R⁸)₄ ⁺ ;

R⁷ to R⁹ hydrogen, C₁ -C₃ -alkyl;

o 1 to 50.

The more accurate definition of the substituents R¹ to R⁹ of the compounds I and the preferred representatives Ia to Ic corresponds to the description of the compound I already given in the introduction.

The compounds of the formula I to be used according to the invention can be prepared by condensation in accordance with the equation ##STR8## where R¹ to R⁴ have the meanings stated in claim 1.

The abovementioned condensation can be either base- or acid-catalyzed. Suitable catalysts are:

tertiary amines such as, for example, pyridine, morpholine, triethylamine, triethanolamine;

seconday amines such as, for example, piperidine, dimethylamine, diethylamine;

NH₃, NaNH₂, KNH₂, NH₄ OAc;

basic alumina, basic ion exchangers;

Na₂ CO₃, K₂ CO₃ ;

acid catalysts such as, for example, glacial acetic acid, formic acid, propionic acid;

HCl, H₂ SO₄, HNO₃ ;

acid ion exchangers.

The amount of the catalysts is generally from 0.1 to 50 mol %, preferably 0.5 to 20 mol %, of the amount of aldehyde employed.

The temperatures preferably employed are from 20 to 150° C., in particular 30 to 100° C., particularly preferably 40 to 80° C. No special conditions regarding the pressure are necessary; the reaction is generally carried out under atmospheric pressure.

Solvents which can be employed are alcohols such as, for example, methanol, ethanol or isopropanol; aromatic compounds such as, for example, toluene or xylene; hydrocarbons, for example heptane or hexane; chlorinated hydrocarbons such as, for example, chloroform or dichloromethane; miglyol, tetrahydrofuran. However, the reaction can also be carried out without solvent.

It is also possible to prepare longer-chain esters starting from methyl or ethyl esters such as, for example, compound 1 in Table 2, by transesterification reactions in the presence of a basic catalyst.

Catalysts suitable for the transesterification are:

basic alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts, preferably those which are soluble neither in the starting materials nor in the products and which can easily be removed after the end of the reaction, particularly preferably: sodium, potassium or calcium carbonate or sodium hydrogencarbonate;

alkaline earth metal oxides, preferably calcium or magnesium oxide and

basic zeolites.

The amount of the catalysts is generally from 1 to 80 mol %, preferably 5 to 50 mol %, of the amount of ester employed.

The amount of alcohol employed must be at least equimolar to the amount of starting ester employed, for example compound 1 in Table 2. Amounts of from 200 to 500 mol % of the alcohol are preferably used.

The methanol or ethanol which is formed is removed by distillation.

The temperatures preferably employed are from 50 to 250° C., in particular 60 to 150° C. No special conditions regarding the pressure are necessary; the reaction is generally carried out under atmospheric pressure.

Solvents which can be employed are inert, high-boiling compounds such as xylenes, but also toluene or mixtures of the alcohols employed with liquid, short-chain alkanes such as hexane and heptane. It is preferred to use no solvent in the alcohol employed.

The transesterification can be carried out either batchwise or continuously. In the continuous procedure, the reactants are preferably passed over a fixed bed of an insoluble base.

In the case where R³ ≠R⁴, the compounds of the formula I according to the invention can, in principle, be in the form of their various geometric isomers, i.e. with a diene system having the Z,Z; Z,E; E,Z and/or E,E configuration. The preferred cosmetic sunscreens are the all-E and/or all-Z isomers, very particularly preferably the all-E isomers.

If R³ =R⁴, the C--C double bond between C-3 and C-4 (adjacent to the diaryl system) can have the E and/or Z configuration, preferably the Z configuration.

The present invention also relates to cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations which comprise from 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably 1 to 7% by weight, based on the total amount of the cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparation, of one or more of the compounds of the formula I together with compounds which absorb in the UV-A and UV-B regions and are known per se for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations as sunscreens, where the compounds of the formula I are generally employed in a smaller amount than the UV-B-absorbing compounds.

The sunscreen-containing cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations are, as a rule, based on a carrier which contains at least one oil phase. However, preparations with an exclusively aqueous basis are also possible on use of compounds having hydrophilic substituents. Accordingly, oils, oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, creams and pastes, protective lipstick compositions or non-greasy gels are suitable.

Sunscreen products of these types can accordingly be in liquid, paste or solid form, for example as water-in-oil creams, oil-in-water creams and lotions, aerosol foam creams, gels, oils, wax pencils, powders, sprays or alcoholic-aqueous lotions.

The compounds of the formula I according to the invention can advantageously be incorporated into the aqueous or alcoholic-aqueous phase for preparation of the abovementioned sunscreens.

Examples of conventional cosmetic oil components are paraffin oil, glyceryl stearate, isopropyl myristate, diisopropyl adipate, cetylstearyl 2-ethylhexanoate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, petrolatum, caprylic acid/capric acid triglycerides, microcrystalline wax, lanolin and stearic acid.

Conventional cosmetic ancillary substances which may be suitable as additives are, for example, coemulsifiers, fats and waxes, stabilizers, thickeners, biogenic active substances, film formers, fragrances, dyes, pearlizing agents, preservatives, pigments, electrolytes (e.g. magnesium sulfate) and pH regulators. Suitable and preferred coemulsifiers are known W/O as well as O/W emulsifiers such as polyglycerol esters, sorbitan esters or partially esterified glycerides. Typical examples of fats are glycerides; waxes which may be mentioned are, inter alia, beeswax, paraffin wax or microwaxes, possibly combined with hydrophilic waxes. Stabilizers which can be employed are metal salts of fatty acids such as, for example, magnesium, aluminum and/or zinc stearate. Examples of suitable thickeners are crosslinked polyacrylic acids and their derivatives, polysaccharides, in particular xanthan gum, guar-guar, agar-agar, alginates and tyloses, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose, also fatty alcohols, monoglycerides and fatty acids, polyacrylates, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Examples of biogenic active substances are plant extracts, protein hydrolysates and vitamin complexes. Examples of film formers which are in use are hydrocolloids such as chitosan, microcrystalline chitosan or quaternized chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymers, polymers of the acrylic acid series, quaternary cellulose derivatives and similar compounds. Examples of suitable preservatives are formaldehyde solution, p-hydroxybenzoate or sorbic acid. Examples of suitable pearlizing agents are glycol distearic esters such as ethylene glycol distearate, but also fatty acids and fatty acid monoglycol esters. Dyes which can be used are the substances suitable and approved for cosmetic purposes, as tabulated, for example, in the publication "Kosmetische Farbemittel" of the Farbstoffkommission der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft, published by Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, 1984. These dyes are normally employed in a concentration of from 0.001 to 0.1% of the total weight of the mixture.

The total content of ancillary substances and additives can be from 1 to 80, preferably 6 to 40, % by weight, and the nonaqueous content ("active substance") can be from 20 to 80, preferably 30 to 70, % by weight, based on the compositions. The compositions can be produced in a manner known per se, i.e. for example by hot, cold, hot-hot/cold or PIT emulsification. This is a purely mechanical process; no chemical reaction takes place.

Finally, it is also possible to use other substances which absorb in the UV region and are known per se as long as they are stable in the complete system of the combination of UV filters to be used according to the invention.

Most of the sunscreens in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations used for protecting the human epidermis consist of compounds which absorb UV light in the UV-B region, i.e. in the region from 280 to 320 nm. The content of UV-A absorbers to be used according to the invention is, for example, from 10 to 90%, preferably 20 to 50%, of the total weight of UV-B- and UV-A-absorbing substances.

Any UV-A and UV-B filter substances are suitable as UV filter substances which are used in combination with the compounds of the formula I to be used according to the invention. Examples which may be mentioned are:

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                                                        CAS No.                                         No.  Substance                 (= acid)                                        ______________________________________                                          1   4-Aminobenzoic acid       150-13-0                                         2   3-(Trimethylammonio)benzylidenebornan-2-one                                                              52793-97-2                                           methyl sulfate                                                             3   3,3,5-Trimethylcyclohexyl salicylate                                                                     118-56-9                                             (homosalate)                                                               4   2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenxophenone                                                                          131-57-7                                             (oxybenzone)                                                               5   2-Phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid and its                                                            27503-81-7                                           potassium, sodium and triethanolamine salts                                6   3,3'-(1,4-Phenylenedimethine)bis(7,7-                                                                    90457-82-2                                           dimethyl-2-oxobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-1-methane-                                 sulfonic acid) and its salts                                               7   Polyethoxyethyl 4-bis(polyethoxy)aminobenzoate                                                           113010-52-9                                      8   2-Ethylhexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate                                                                     21245-02-3                                       9   2-Ethylhexyl salicylate   118-60-5                                        10   Isoamyl 4-methoxycinnamate                                                                               71617-10-2                                      11   2-Ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate                                                                          5466-77-3                                       12   2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic                                                               4065-45-6                                            acid (sulisobenzone) and the sodium salt                                  13   3-(4'-Methylbenzylidene)bornan-2-one                                                                     36861-47-9                                      14   3-Benzylidenebornan-2-one 15087-24-8                                      15   1-(4'-Isopropylphenyl)-3-phenylpropane-1,3-                                                              63260-25-9                                           dione                                                                     16   4-Isopropylbenzyl salicylate                                                                             94134-93-7                                      17   2,4,6-Tri(o-2-ethylhexoxycarbonyl-                                                                       88122-99-0                                           anilino)-1,3,5-triazine                                                   18   3-(4-Imidazolyl)acrylic acid and its ethyl                                                               104-98-3                                             ester                                                                     19   Ethyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate                                                                       5232-99-5                                       20   2-Ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate                                                                6197-30-4                                       21   Menthyl o-aminobenzoate or:                                                                              134-09-8                                             5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl                                           2-aminobenzoate                                                           22   Glyceryl p-aminobenzoate or:                                                                             136-44-7                                             4-aminobenzoic acid 1-glyceryl ester                                      23   2,2'-Dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone                                                                     131-53-3                                             (dioxybenzone)                                                            24   2-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-4-methylbenzophenone                                                                 1641-17-4                                            (mexenone)                                                                25   Triethanolamine salicylate                                                                               2174-16-5                                       26   Dimethoxyphenylglyoxalic acid or:                                                                        4732-70-1                                            sodium 3,4-dimethoxyphenylglyoxalate                                      27   3-(4'-Sulfobenzylidene)bornan-2-one and its                                                              56039-58-8                                           salts                                                                     28   4-tert-Butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane                                                                  70356-09-1                                      29   2,2',4,4'-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone                                                                       131-55-5                                        ______________________________________                                    

Finally, mention may also be made of micronized pigments such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

To protect human hair from UV rays, the sunscreens of the formula I according to the invention can be incorporated into shampoos, lotions, gels, hair sprays, aerosol foam creams or emulsions in concentrations of from 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably 1 to 7% by weight. The particular formulations can be used inter alia for washing, coloring and styling the hair.

Compounds of the formula I which are particularly preferred for this purpose are those in which the substituents R³ and/or R⁴ are cationic radicals, such as, for example, compound 2 in Table 3.

The compounds to be used according to the invention as a rule have a particularly high absorbance in the region of UV-A radiation with a sharp band structure. They are furthermore readily soluble in aqueous or alcoholic-aqueous systems and can thus easily be incorporated into the aqueous phase of cosmetic formulations. The emulsions prepared using the compounds I show particularly high stability, the compounds I themselves show high photostability, and the preparations produced with I have a pleasant feel on the skin.

The UV filter action of the compounds of the formula I according to the invention can also be utilized for stabilizing active and ancillary substances in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.

The invention also relates to the compounds of the formula I for use as a medicament and to pharmaceutical compositions for the preventive treatment of inflammation and allergies of the skin, and for preventing certain types of skin cancer, which comprise an effective amount of at least one compound of the formula I as active substance.

The pharmaceutical composition according to the invention can be administered orally or topically. For oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition is in the form of, inter alia, pastilles, gelatine capsules, coated tablets, as a syrup, solution, emulsion or suspension. The pharmaceutical compositions are used topically for example as an ointment, cream, gel, spray, solution or lotion.

EXAMPLES I. PREPARATION Example 1 ##STR9##

0.1 mol of dimethyl malonate (1) was heated with 0.2 mol of 2-hydroxyethylsulfonic acid (2) in xylene. The water of reaction was continuously removed azeotropically. After all of the water of reaction had been removed, the organic phase was washed with 2 n NaOH, and the desired product (3) was crystallized from the aqueous phase by acidification with H₂ SO₄ to pH=2. Yield: 75% of theory.

Example 2 ##STR10##

0.11 mol of compound 3 from Example 1 was added to 0.1 mol of β-phenylcinnamaldehyde (4) in 100 ml of xylene. After 0.01 mol of piperidine had been added, the reaction mixture was refluxed for 4 h. The mixture was then cooled and washed with 2 n NaOH, and the aqueous phase, following phase separation, was adjusted to pH=2, during which the product (5) precipitated out. Yield: 82% of theory. Purity: >98% (HPLC). E¹ ₁ =650, λ_(max) =336 nm.

The compounds listed in Table 3 were prepared as in Example 2.

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________     No.                              E.sup.1.sub.1                                                                     .sub.max                                   __________________________________________________________________________         ##STR11##                    680                                                                               354                                        2                                                                                  ##STR12##                    450                                                                               330                                        3                                                                                  ##STR13##                    600                                                                               335                                        __________________________________________________________________________

The compounds in Tables 4 and 5 can be prepared as in Example 2 or as described in the general section.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR14##                                                                     No.   R.sup.5 = R.sup.6                                                                             R.sup.1  R.sup.2                                                                              n    Position                              ______________________________________                                         1)    --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --SO.sub.3 Na                                                              H        H     1    --                                    2)    --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --SO.sub.3 Na                                                              H        H     1    --                                    3)    --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --SO.sub.3 Na                                                              CH.sub.3 CH.sub.3                                                                             1    para                                  4)    --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --SO.sub.3 Na                                                              CH.sub.3 CH.sub.3                                                                             1    para                                  5)    [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.3 --CH.sub.3                                                   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.3                                                                             1    para                                  6)    --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --SO.sub.3 Na                                                              CH.sub.3 O                                                                              CH.sub.3 O                                                                           1    para                                  7)    --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --SO.sub.3 Na                                                              CH.sub.3 O                                                                              CH.sub.3 O                                                                           1    para                                  8)    [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.3 --CH.sub.3                                                   CH.sub.3 O                                                                              CH.sub.3 O                                                                           1    para                                  9)    --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --SO.sub.3 Na                                                              SO.sub.3 Na                                                                             SO.sub.3 Na                                                                          1    para                                  10)   --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --SO.sub.3 Na                                                              SO.sub.3 Na                                                                             SO.sub.3 Na                                                                          1    para                                  11)   [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.3 --CH.sub.3                                                   SO.sub.3 Na                                                                             SO.sub.3 Na                                                                          1    para                                  12)   --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --SO.sub.3 Na                                                              COONa    COONa 1    para                                  13)   --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --SO.sub.3 Na                                                              COONa    COONa 1    para                                  14)   [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.3 --CH.sub.3                                                   COONa    COONa 1    para                                  ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR15##                                                                     No.   R.sup.5                                                                              R.sup.6        R.sup.1                                                                              R.sup.2                                                                              n   Position                            ______________________________________                                         1)    H     --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --N(CH.sub.3).sub.3.sup.+ Cl.sup.-                                         H     H     1   --                                  2)    H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.3 --CH.sub.3                                                   H     H     1   --                                  3)    H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.4 --CH.sub.3                                                   H     H     1   --                                  4)    H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.5 --CH.sub.3                                                   H     H     1   --                                  5)    H     --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --N(CH.sub.3).sub.3.sup.+ Cl.sup.-                                         CH.sub.3                                                                             CH.sub.3                                                                             1   para                                6)    H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.3 --CH.sub.3                                                   CH.sub.3                                                                             CH.sub.3                                                                             1   para                                7)    H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.4 --CH.sub.3                                                   CH.sub.3                                                                             CH.sub.3                                                                             1   para                                8)    H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.5 --CH.sub.3                                                   CH.sub.3                                                                             CH.sub.3                                                                             1   para                                9)    H     --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --N(CH.sub.3).sub.3.sup.+ Cl.sup.-                                         CH.sub.3 O                                                                           CH.sub.3 O                                                                           1   para                                10)   H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.3 --CH.sub.3                                                   CH.sub.3 O                                                                           CH.sub.3 O                                                                           1   para                                11)   H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.4 --CH.sub.3                                                   CH.sub.3 O                                                                           CH.sub.3 O                                                                           1   para                                12)   H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.5 --CH.sub.3                                                   CH.sub.3 O                                                                           CH.sub.3 O                                                                           1   para                                13)   H     --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --N(CH.sub.3).sub.3.sup.+ Cl.sup.-                                         SO.sub.3 Na                                                                          SO.sub.3 Na                                                                          1   para                                14)   H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.3 --CH.sub.3                                                   SO.sub.3 Na                                                                          SO.sub.3 Na                                                                          1   para                                15)   H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.4 --CH.sub.3                                                   SO.sub.3 Na                                                                          SO.sub.3 Na                                                                          1   para                                16)   H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.5 --CH.sub.3                                                   SO.sub.3 Na                                                                          SO.sub.3 Na                                                                          1   para                                17)   H     --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --N(CH.sub.3).sub.3.sup.+ Cl.sup.-                                         COONa COONa 1   para                                18)   H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.3 --CH.sub.3                                                   COONa COONa 1   para                                19)   H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.4 --CH.sub.3                                                   COONa COONa 1   para                                20)   H     [--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--].sub.5 --CH.sub.3                                                   COONa COONa 1   para                                ______________________________________                                    

Example 4 Standardized Method for Photostability Determination (Suntest)

A 5% by weight alcoholic-aqueous solution of the sunscreen to be tested is applied, using an Eppendorf pipette (20 μl), to the milled area on a small glass plate. Owing to the presence of the alcohol, the solution is distributed uniformly on the roughened glass surface. The amount applied corresponds to the amount of sunscreen required to obtain an average sun protection factor in suncreams. In the test, 4 glass plates are irradiated each time. The evaporation time and the irradiation each last for 30 minutes. The glass plates are cooled slightly during the irradiation by a water cooling system located at the base of the Suntest apparatus. The temperature inside the Suntest apparatus during the irradiation is 40° C. After the samples have been irradiated, they are washed with ethanol into a dark 50 ml graduated flask and measured using a photometer. The blank samples are applied in the same way to glass plates and evaporated at room temperature for 30 minutes. Like the other samples, they are washed off with ethanol and diluted to 100 ml and measured.

Photostability Comparative Tests:

1. ##STR16##

General Method for Preparing Emulsions for Cosmetic Purposes

All of the oil-soluble ingredients are heated to 85° C. in a stirred vessel. When all the ingredients have melted or are present as liquid phase, the aqueous phase, which comprises, in the dissolved state, the 4,4-diarylbutadienes of the formula I according to the invention, possibly in the form of their salts, is incorporated by homogenization. The emulsion is cooled to about 40° C. with stirring, is perfumed and homogenized, and is then cooled to 25° C. while stirring continuously.

Preparations

Example

    ______________________________________                                         Lip care composition                                                           Mass content                                                                   (% by weight)                                                                  ______________________________________                                         ad 100    eucerinum anhydricum                                                 10.00     glycerol                                                             10.00     titanium dioxide                                                     5.00      compound from Example 2                                              8.00      octyl methoxycinnamate                                               5.00      zinc oxide                                                           4.00      castor oil                                                           4.00      pentaerythrityl stearate/caprate/caprylate/adipate                   3.00      glyceryl stearate SE                                                 2.00      beeswax                                                              2.00      microcrystalline wax                                                 2.00      quaternium-18 bentonite                                              1.50      PEG-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer                                      ______________________________________                                    

Example

    ______________________________________                                         Lip care composition                                                           Mass content                                                                   (% by weight)                                                                  ______________________________________                                         ad 100    eucerinum anhydricum                                                 10.00     glycerol                                                             10.00     titanium dioxide                                                     5.00      compound No. 1 in Table 3                                            8.00      octyl methoxycinnamate                                               5.00      zinc oxide                                                           4.00      castor oil                                                           4.00      pentaerythrityl stearate/caprate/caprylate/adipate                   3.00      glyceryl stearate SE                                                 2.00      beeswax                                                              2.00      microcrystalline wax                                                 2.00      quaternium-18 bentonite                                              1.50      PEG-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer                                      ______________________________________                                    

Example

    ______________________________________                                         Sunblocker composition with micropigments                                      Mass content                                                                   (% by weight)                                                                  ______________________________________                                         ad 100        water                                                            10.00         octyl methoxycinnamate                                           6.00          PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil                                    6.00          titanium dioxide                                                 5.00          compound from Example 2                                          5.00          mineral oil                                                      5.00          isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate                                       5.00          propylene glycol                                                 3.00          jojoba oil                                                       3.00          4-methylbenzylidenecamphor                                       2.00          PEG-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer                                  1.00          dimethicone                                                      0.50          PEC-40 hydrogenated castor oil                                   0.50          tocopheryl acetate                                               0.50          phenoxyethanol                                                   0.20          EDTA                                                             ______________________________________                                    

Example

    ______________________________________                                         Sunblocker composition with micropigments                                      Mass content                                                                   (% by weight)                                                                  ______________________________________                                         ad 100        water                                                            10.00         octyl methoxycinnamate                                           6.00          PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil                                    6.00          titanium dioxide                                                 5.00          compound No. 1 in Table 3                                        5.00          mineral oil                                                      5.00          isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate                                       5.00          propylene glycol                                                 3.00          jojoba oil                                                       3.00          4-methylbenzylidenecamphor                                       2.00          PEG-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer                                  1.00          dimethicone                                                      0.50          PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil                                   0.50          tocopheryl acetate                                               0.50          phenoxyethanol                                                   0.20          EDTA                                                             ______________________________________                                    

Example

    ______________________________________                                         Non-greasy gel                                                                 Mass content                                                                   (% by weight)                                                                  ______________________________________                                         ad 100     water                                                               8.00       octyl methoxycinnamate                                              7.00       titanium dioxide                                                    5.00       compound from Example 2                                             5.00       glycerol                                                            5.00       PEG-25 PABA                                                         1.00       4-methylbenzylidenecamphor                                          0.40       acrylaze C10--C30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer                       0.30       imidazolidinylurea                                                  0.25       hydroxyethylcellulose                                               0.25       sodium methylparaben                                                0.20       disodium EDTA                                                       0.15       fragrance                                                           0.15       sodium propylparaben                                                0.10       sodium hydroxide                                                    ______________________________________                                    

Example

    ______________________________________                                         Non-greasy gel                                                                 Mass content                                                                   (% by weight)                                                                  ______________________________________                                         ad 100     water                                                               8.00       octyl methoxycinnamate                                              7.00       titanium dioxide                                                    5.00       compound No. 1 in Table 3                                           5.00       glycerol                                                            5.00       PEG-25 PABA                                                         1.00       4-methylbenzylidenecamphor                                          0.40       acrylate C10--C30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer                       0.30       imidazolidinylurea                                                  0.25       hydroxyethylcellulose                                               0.25       sodium methylparaben                                                0.20       disodium EDTA                                                       0.15       fragrance                                                           0.15       sodium propylparaben                                                0.10       sodium hydroxide                                                    ______________________________________                                    

Example

    ______________________________________                                         Suncream (SPF 20)                                                              Mass content                                                                   (% by weight)                                                                  ______________________________________                                         ad 100        water                                                            8.00          octyl methoxycinnamate                                           8.00          titanium dioxide                                                 6.00          PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil                                    5.00          compound from Example 2                                          6.00          mineral oil                                                      5.00          zinc oxide                                                       5.00          isopropyl palmitate                                              5.00          imidazolidinylurea                                               3.00          jojoba oil                                                       2.00          PEG-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer                                  1.00          4-methylbenzylidenecamphor                                       0.60          magnesium stearate                                               0.50          tocopheryl acetate                                               0.25          methylparaben                                                    0.20          disodium EDTA                                                    0.15          propylparaben                                                    ______________________________________                                    

Example

    ______________________________________                                         Suncream (SPF 20)                                                              Mass content                                                                   (% by weight)                                                                  ______________________________________                                         ad 100        water                                                            8.00          octyl methoxycinnamate                                           8.00          titanium dioxide                                                 6.00          PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil                                    5.00          compound No. 1 in Table 3                                        6.00          mineral oil                                                      5.00          zinc oxide                                                       5.00          isopropyl palmitate                                              5.00          imidazolidinylurea                                               3.00          jojoba oil                                                       2.00          PEG-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer                                  1.00          4-methylbenzylidenecamphor                                       0.60          magnesium stearate                                               0.50          tocopheryl acetate                                               0.25          methylparaben                                                    0.20          diodium EDTA                                                     0.15          propylparaben                                                    ______________________________________                                    

Example

    ______________________________________                                         Water-resistant suncream                                                       Mass content                                                                   (% by weight)                                                                  ______________________________________                                         ad 100        water                                                            8.00          octyl methoxycinnamate                                           5.00          PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil                                    5.00          propylene glycol                                                 4.00          isopropyl palmitate                                              4.00          caprylic/capric triglyceride                                     5.00          compound from Example 2                                          4.00          glycerol                                                         3.00          jojoba oil                                                       2.00          4-methylbenzylidenecamphor                                       2.00          titanium dioxide                                                 1.50          PEG-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer                                  1.50          dimethicone                                                      0.70          magnesium sulfate                                                0.50          magnesium stearate                                               0.15          fragrance                                                        ______________________________________                                    

Example

    ______________________________________                                         Water-resistant suncream                                                       Mass content                                                                   (% by weight)                                                                  ______________________________________                                         ad 100        water                                                            8.00          octyl methoxycinnamate                                           5.00          PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil                                    5.00          propylene glycol                                                 4.00          isopropyl palmitate                                              4.00          caprylic/capric triglyceride                                     5.00          compound No. 1 in Table 3                                        4.00          glycerol                                                         3.00          jojoba oil                                                       2.00          4-methylbenzylidenecamphor                                       2.00          titanium dioxide                                                 1.50          PEG-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer                                  1.50          dimethicone                                                      0.70          magnesium sulfate                                                0.50          magnesium stearate                                               0.15          fragrance                                                        ______________________________________                                    

Example

    ______________________________________                                         Sunmilk (SPF 6)                                                                Mass content                                                                   (% by weight)                                                                  ______________________________________                                         ad 100        water                                                            10.00         mineral oil                                                      6.00          PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil                                    5.00          isopropyl palmitate                                              3.50          octyl methoxycinnamate                                           5.00          compound from Example 2                                          3.00          caprylic/capric triglyceride                                     3.00          jojoba oil                                                       2.00          PEG-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer                                  0.70          magnesium sulfate                                                0.60          magnesium stearate                                               0.50          tocopheryl acetate                                               0.30          glycerol                                                         0.25          methylparaben                                                    0.15          propylparaben                                                    0.05          tocopherol                                                       ______________________________________                                    

Example

    ______________________________________                                         Sunmilk (SPF 6)                                                                Mass content                                                                   (% by weight)                                                                  ______________________________________                                         ad 100        water                                                            10.00         mineral oil                                                      6.00          PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil                                    5.00          isopropyl palmitate                                              3.50          octyl methoxycinnamate                                           5.00          compound No. 1 in Table 3                                        3.00          caprylic/capric triglyceride                                     3.00          jojoba oil                                                       2.00          PEG-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer                                  0.70          magnesium sulfate                                                0.60          magnesium stearate                                               0.50          tocopheryl acetate                                               0.30          glycerol                                                         0.25          methylparaben                                                    0.15          propylparaben                                                    0.05          tocopherol                                                       ______________________________________                                     

We claim:
 1. The method of using 4,4-diarylbutadienes of the formula I, ##STR17## where the diene system has the Z,Z; Z,E; E,Z or E,E configuration or a mixture thereof, and where the variables independently of one another have the following meanings:R¹ and R² hydrogen, C₁ -C₂₀ -alkyl, C₂ -C₁₀ -alkenyl, C₃ -C₁₀ -cycloalkyl, C₃ -C₁₀ -cycloalkenyl, C₁ -C₁₂ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₂₀ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₁₂ -alkylamino, C₁ -C₁₂ -dialkylamino, aryl, hetaryl, unsubstituted or substituted substituents which confer solubility in water and are selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate or ammonium radicals; R³ hydrogen, COOR⁵, COR⁵, CONR⁵ R⁶, CN; R⁴ COOR⁶, COR⁶, CONR⁵ R⁶ ; R⁵ hydrogen, [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-PO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ; R⁶ [X]_(o) -R⁷, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-SO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-PO₃ Y, C₁ -C₆ -alkylene-N(R⁸)₃ ⁺ A⁻ ; X --CH₂ --CH₂ --Z--, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --Z--, --CH(CH₃)--CH₂ --Z--, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --Z--, --CH₂ --CH(CH₂ --CH₃)--Z--; A Cl, Br, I, SO₄ R⁹ ; Y hydrogen, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺, Al³⁺, N(R⁸)₄ ⁺ ; Z O, NH; R⁷ and R⁸ hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, C₂ -C₆ -alkenyl, C₁ -C₆ -acyl; R⁹ hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, C₂ -C₆ -alkenyl; n 1 to 3; o 1 to 150as water-soluble photostable UV filters in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for protecting the human skin or human hair from the sun's rays, alone or together with compounds which absorb in the UV region and are known for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.
 2. The method of using compounds of the formula I as claimed in claim 1 as water-soluble photostable UV-A filters.
 3. The method of using compounds of the formula I claim 1 as water-soluble UV stabilizers in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.
 4. A sunscreen-containing cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparation for protecting the human epidermis or human hair from UV light in the range from 280 to 400 nm, which comprises, in a cosmetically or pharmaceutically suitable carrier, alone or together with compounds which absorb in the UV region and are known per se for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations, amounts, which are effective as photostable UV filters, of compounds of the formula I ##STR18## where the variables have the meanings stated in claim
 1. 